I looked around the quest bedroom, and I noticed Katiana was doing the same.
The large room was luxuriously outfitted, befitting the house of a Marquess.
In one corner, a long wood framed plushy sofa and a rectangular coffee table with some snacks and a bottle of wine arranged on it.
Against the wall, a desk with a mirror and a simple arm-less chair, that served both as a makeup station and a writing desk.
On the opposite wall, a full sized dresser next to an intricately decorated double armoire.
The covered bed was easily big enough for two, with a nightstand on each side - each nightstand sported a closed pitcher of water and an overturned cup.
On one side a slightly open door led into a large bathroom.
Double french-doors led out to an enclosed porch with a view on the gardens.
The paintings along the walls showed calm pastoral and rural scenes - not one single portrait, although there was one painting of a chubby cat lounging in a sunbeam.
Katiana moved over to the sofa and plopped down un-lady like, as was her norm.
"Hwell, at least this room looks comfy... come on over, sit next to me. It is still early evening, and there are snacks here!" [Katiana]
She patted the spot next to her, and I complied.
"So, I will sleep on the sofa."
"I'll sleep on this..." [Katiana]
We both spoke at the same time - then we looked at each other.
I held out my hand, palm up and open, to show Katiana should speak first.
"Thanks... That won't do. Hmmm... I know! Truth or dare?" [Katiana]
"Truth or... some sort of game?"
"Yes - we each ask the other if they want to tell a truth, or if they prefer to do something daring. Whoever refuses first, loses!" [Katiana]
"I see... and the winner get to choose where they sleep, I suppose?"
"Sure - and it is a good way for us to get to know each other better. You up for it?." [Katiana]
Hmmm, if I grasped the game correctly, she could dare me to take the bed.
If I declined, she would win, and tell me to take the bed.
Full circle - I need to think of a way to hinder that, so...
"One rule - we cannot dare the other anything pertaining to sleeping arrangements."
"Hmmpf... fine. In that case I'll start. Do you want to tell a truth, or do a dare?" [Katiana]
I opened the wine and server each of us a glass.
"Truth. Do I just say something now, or...?"
Katiana clinked her glass against mine, and took a sip before answering.
"Now I ask you a question, and you either answer, or forfeit. I'll take it easy on you to start. What do you like about me?" [Katiana]
Well, that was an easy question - I had so many answers to that.
"I will answer. I like how you are forthright. I like how you charge ahead, no matter what. I like how you can talk to anyone, regardless of status. I like the exotic foods you've taught the kitchen to make. I like the perfumes you were every day - today seems to be something a bit spicy that I'm not familiar with. I like your creativity and passion for the Dukedom's people. I like..."
Katiana pushed my shoulder with both her open palms, and a blush had been slowly spreading across her face and down her neck.
"Enough, enough! I... I... only needed one answer." [Katiana]
"Fine, then my turn I suppose. Truth or dare?"
"Truth! But keep it fair!" [Katiana]
Hmm, there were so many things I wanted to ask.
Ah, yes, this.
"Is there anything you want or really wish for? Anything at all, even if it seems impossible."
Katiana's eyes opened wide for a moment before she looked down at the coffee table.
"Oh that is an unexpected question..." [Katiana]
She scratched her cheek - a habit of hers I've observed whenever she was deep in thought.
"Do you have that many wishes? Just tell them all..."
"It's not like that - I used to have a desperate wish to go ba... no, never mind. Since I've met you, that... is no longer important." [Katiana]
"So you have no wishes?"
My wife looked down at the floor and clasped her hands together in her lap - it took a moment before she answered.
I waited patiently, as I could almost see the little cogs and gears turn in her head.
"I... have a new wish. I... I want... to stay with you. Forever. There! I said it!" [Katiana]
She put her face in her hands as she finished talking and I heard a whispered "So embarrassing!"
I patted her on her head until she uncovered her face.
"I'm fine now... my turn - truth or dare?" [Katiana]
"Truth."
"Ok, let's try and ask harmless questions for a bit... ah... since when did you start sword training?" [Katiana]
"Since I was old enough to walk. Truth or dare?"
"Truth." [Katiana]
"Can we always just say truth? Or is there any rule when we have to switch to dare?"
"Well, some people make a rule that at least one out of ten times each person has to take a dare, but I didn't stipulate that this time, so..." [Katiana]
"Ah so. What foods do you prefer not to eat, or outright hate?"
"Oh, an easy one! Offal. Innards. Guts. No thanks, unless I'm starving." [Katiana]
"Oh? Is that all you got growing up?"
"The few times I got any meat? Yeah. Whatever not even the servants wanted, I ended up getting. That is why now, no more animal organs for me!" [Katiana]
"You've had it difficult. I'll make sure the kitchen never serves anything of that sort."
"Thank you - I really appreciated that - anyways... Truth or dare?" [Katiana]
"Truth."
"Continuing on with the sword question - which seems safe - what is the hardest part in learning swords - and any tips you can give a beginner?" [Katiana]
"Everyone has their own challenges, but for me, it was learning to hold back on my strength - training dummies are not as cheap as one thinks. And as for a tip? Don't ever, ever let your sword go. Unless you can make as many as you want appear in your hand in less than a blink."
"That... that was very specific." [Katiana]
"It is an important tip. So... Truth or dare?"
"Truth, please." [Katiana]
"What skill would you like to have, but don't think you will ever be able to acquire?"
"Eh, well, being able to travel between dimensions." [Katiana]
"Between dimensions? I know about the dimension that item bags use, and then there are the nether dimensions, where demons live, but are there any other dimensions worth visiting?"
"I know it sounds weird - but I've read the theory that there are endless dimensions just like ours, where people live. I want to be able to see some of those, experience the foods they have, see how people are faring. Well, from one dimension, specifically..." [Katiana]
The last part she whispered.
"Don't get me wrong, I just want to visit - what I said before that I want to forever stay with y.... ah... Anyways. My turn, truth or dare?" [Katiana]
She blushed a bit.
"Hm... how about a dare?"
"Oooo, I was not prepared for that! Um... ha. Oh! I dare you to let me feed you this sandwich that I already took a bite out of!" [Katiana]
"That... is a strange dare. But I accept."
"Ahhh? Darn, I thought I'd win... well, say 'AH!'..." [Katiana]
I obediently opened my mouth and was fed, although Katiana was clumsy and got crumbs on me.
"Eeee! I just realized! In... In.. Indirect ki... ah... no that's not a thing here, is it?" [Katiana]
The last part she whispered again.
"My turn - truth or dare?"
"Oh... ah... well, you took a dare, so I'll do that, too - dare!" [Katiana]
"I dare you to sing me a song - can be anything, even if you don't remember all the words."
"That's... that's actually a pretty good dare. I'll try it... ah...." [Katiana]
My wife stood up, bent over a bit towards me, put one hand on her hip, and stretched out her other hand towards me, palm up,with her fingers curled into the finger snapping position.
"Hey now boy {snap} you got no idea {snap} 'cause I be the one {snap} to give it my all {snap} beyond time {snap} beyond space {snap} I've traveled further {snap} than the sun {snap} no-one can {snap} beat me {snap} no-one can {snap} reach me {snap} I be the {snap} top gun {snap} I be the best, {snap} son! {snap}" [Katiana]
Sitting down, she grinned as she smoothed out her dress.
"That was... interesting. Where did you learn that?"
"It's ah.. called rap. Very popular among slum kids in some parts of... ah, well, around." [Katiana]
"It does have... a sort of primal beat to it, I can tell, yes... not sure if high-society is ready for this, though.."
"Ha. No, unlikely. And my turn again! Truth or dare?" [Katiana]
"Dare."
"Lap pillow!" [Katiana]
"What is that supposed to be?"
"Ah, you just put your head on my lap. My lap becomes your pillow. Fiances do that all the time." [Katiana]
"Ah, I am not privy to that sort of... tradition, but I accept."
"Oh Kay! Then here, put your head here!" [Katiana]
She patted her lap, and I sort of tilted myself sideways, placing my head as directed.
The spicy scent was stronger so close to her - and the lap was softer than I expected from someone that can clear out an office building full of goons.
"This is nice... do we continue? Truth or dare?"
In my current position I could not see her face, but the hand I saw curled and uncurled a few times - I felt her other hand rest lightly on my head.
"Ye-es... ah, I think my heart had enough of dare for now - so, truth." [Katiana]
"In that case - you have stated a few times that you were interested in me for years. Why? Or what made you like an unremarkable looking fellow like me?"
The hand I saw clenched into a fist, and the hand on my head stiffened.
"I... hope one day you'll figure that out yourself. Or maybe I can even tell you one day. But not yet. I... I have to forfeit this time." [Katiana]
She spoke quietly, as she stroked my head.
I sat up again.
"Well, it is getting near midnight - as the winner, I say you take the bed. But I'll also let you choose where I sleep."
Katiana stood and took a few steps towards the bathroom before turning around to face me, her own face a it red.
"Eh? I.. I... let me get myself ready... then I'll let you know." [Katiana]
She whooshed into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
A few moments later the door opened again and she whooshed back in.
"Forgot my PJs..." [Katiana]
Taking some clothes that looked like a pastel green colored top and pants out of the armoire, she disappeared again into the bath room.
I looked at the battlefield that was the coffee table - Katiana had made short process out of the sandwiches and sweets, crumbs and wrappers scattered all over the table.
The wine bottle was drained - I had only had the one glass full.
A while later Katiana re-appeared, dressed in her pastel colored top and pants, holding Nozomi in her arms.
"I have decided!" [Katiana]
